Student brings airsoft rifle to Underhill Field

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Columbia High School families were alerted recently that, on Wednesday, Oct. 18, a student had brought an airsoft rifle to Underhill Field. The rifle was discharged in the locker room and hit several students, none of whom were seriously injured, according to a letter from the South Orange-Maplewood School District.

According to the email, the rifle discharged non-metallic BB pellets. Following discharge, the school trainer checked each involved student for injuries and determined that no one had sustained an injury that required medical attention.

Nevertheless, the letter assured that SOMSD administrators are following the steps required in the Code of Conduct for when a student violates the Board of Education Policy 8467 Prohibition of Weapons, which “…prohibits the possession and/or use of firearms, other weapons or instruments that can be used as weapons, on school property. … This definition includes, but is not limited to … imitation firearms.”

Due to legal privacy considerations, the district will not disclose the name of the name of the student or what punishments, if any, they received.

“Safety is our first priority,” the letter read. “We ask all parents and guardians to review the Code of Conduct with your children and make sure they are aware of limitations on items that can be brought to school, as well as the possible consequences for Code of Conduct violations.”

  Columbia High School, South Orange–Maplewood School District